Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener: Tropical or Asian landscaping for zone 5 around pool, 1 by laceykb

laceykb wrote:
I am having an inground pool constructed in a few weeks. I plan to have gardens around all sides to create a very lush setting. I am from FL so I would love to have a tropical feel but unfortunately, I live in KY. I'm really in zone 6 but this past winter was unseasonably cold, I'm trying to use zone 5 in my planning. I will upload a pic of the area. Just behind the pool on left side will be an area that will perceptively create elevation (tall trees, lower trees, shrubs, smaller plants, etc). Otherwise, it's all up in the air. I don't want anything that will drop leaves in the pool too much or bring a lot of bees. I'm desperate for ideas. I also would love to have green all winter but that's pretty hard with tropical or Asian! I was thinking of banana trees behind the seating area on right behind pool and probably some bamboo way behind everything on left behind pool. Thought about a River Birch in back of that left area or Jap Maples. Please help! I have a lot I want to do but I'm new to the cold climate! Any and all suggestions are welcomed!

This message was edited May 25, 2015 12:31 PM